Bill allowing more logging on Oregon public lands advances

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ROSEBURG, Ore. - A Congress not known for reaching agreement is set to vote on a possible solution to the budget problems plaguing Oregon's timber counties.

Oregon counties that contain large tracts of public land managed by the federal government traditionally shared in the revenues from timber sales. The federal government does not pay property taxes.

But as timber sales dwindled, so have county budgets for roads, schools and law enforcement.

The so-called Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act - initially known as the Craig-Wyden Bill after its sponors, Senators Larry Craig of Idaho and Ron Wyden of Oregon - helped fill the gap with direct payments from the federal treasury in lieu of timber revenues.

But the act ran its course, and Congress has been reluctant to renew support.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.